What does "ordinary" mean?
A person with authority; authority, ordinance.; A person having immediate jurisdiction in a given case of ecclesiastical law, such as the bishop within a diocese.
Ordinary
/ˈɔɹdɪnɛɹi/ adj, noun, slang
adj, noun, slang ·Top 500 ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A person with authority; authority, ordinance.; A person having immediate jurisdiction in a given case of ecclesiastical law, such as the bishop within a diocese.
- Grammar: ordinary is listed as adj, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: a la carte, academic mediocrity, acceptable, accepted.
- Useful contrasts: eccentric, extraordinary, great.
- Usage evidence: To take an express train, we have to get an express ticket in addition to an ordinary ticket.
How to use "ordinary"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "ordinary" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "ordinary" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "ordinary" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "ordinary" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "ordinary" is acting as adj, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "a la carte" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "ordinary", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A person with authority; authority, ordinance.; A person having immediate jurisdiction in a given case of ecclesiastical law, such as the bishop within a diocese.
- 2 The part of the Roman Catholic Mass that is the same every day
- 3 (heraldry) any of several conventional figures used on shields wordnet
- 4 A person with authority; authority, ordinance.; A courier; someone delivering mail or post. obsolete
"I […] will lay to till you come within hail […] but pray respond by the first ordinary."
- 5 an early bicycle with a very large front wheel and small back wheel wordnet
Show 16 more definitions
- 6 A person with authority; authority, ordinance.; A judge with the authority to deal with cases himself or herself rather than by delegation.
- 7 a judge of a probate court wordnet
- 8 A person with authority; authority, ordinance.; The chaplain of Newgate prison, who prepared condemned prisoners for death. historical
"He died with pious composure and resolution. I have just seen the Ordinary that attended him."
- 9 a clergyman appointed to prepare condemned prisoners for death wordnet
- 10 Something ordinary or regular.; Customary fare, one's regular daily allowance of food; (hence) a regular portion or allowance. obsolete
- 11 the expected or commonplace condition or situation wordnet
- 12 Something ordinary or regular.; A meal provided for a set price at an eating establishment. historical
"In short, Mr. Jolter could give a very good account of the stages on the road, and […] was a connoisseur in ordinaries, from twelve to five and thirty livres […]."
- 13 Something ordinary or regular.; A place where such meals are served; a public tavern, inn. archaic, historical
"Vpon feſtiuall daies he goes to Court, and ſalutes vvithout re-ſaluting: at night in an Ordinarie he confeſſeth the buſineſſe in hand, and ſeemes as conuerſant with all intents and plots, as if he begot them."
- 14 Something ordinary or regular.; One of the standard geometric designs placed across the center of a coat of arms, such as a pale or fess.
- 15 Something ordinary or regular.; An ordinary person or thing; something commonplace.
"Spain had no other wars save those of the Low Countries, which were grown into an ordinary"
- 16 Something ordinary or regular.; The usual course of things; normal condition or health; a standard way of behaviour or action. Ireland, Scotland
"I ſee no more in you than in the ordinary / Of nature's ſalework."
- 17 Something ordinary or regular.; A penny farthing bicycle. historical
- 18 Something ordinary or regular.; A part of the Christian liturgy that is reasonably constant without regard to the date on which the service is performed.
- 19 Something ordinary or regular.; A part of the Christian liturgy that is reasonably constant without regard to the date on which the service is performed.; Alternative letter-case form of Ordinary (“those parts of the Mass which are consistent from day to day”). alt-of
- 20 A book setting out ordinary or regular conduct.; A devotional manual; a book setting our rules for proper conduct. obsolete
- 21 A book setting out ordinary or regular conduct.; A rule, or book of rules, prescribing the order of a liturgy, especially of Mass. especially
Adjective
- 1 Having regular jurisdiction; now only used in certain phrases.
- 2 Being part of the natural order of things; normal, customary, routine.
"On an ordinary day I wake up at nine o'clock, work for six hours, and then go to the gym."
- 3 Having no special characteristics or function; everyday, common, mundane; often deprecatory.
"I live a very ordinary life most of the time, but every year I spend a week in Antarctica."
- 4 Bad or undesirable. Australia, New-Zealand, colloquial, informal
"1983 September 20, Bruce Stannard, Australia II Joins Our Greats, The Age, republished 2003, David Headon (editor), The Best Ever Australian Sports Writing: A 200 Year Collection, page 480, It was, in some ways a sad, almost pathetic sight to see this great American boat which had fought so hard throughout the cup summer, now looking very ordinary indeed."
Adjective
- 1 lacking special distinction, rank, or status; commonly encountered wordnet
- 2 not exceptional in any way especially in quality or ability or size or degree wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"To take an express train, we have to get an express ticket in addition to an ordinary ticket."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "ordinary"?
Common synonyms include: a la carte, academic mediocrity, acceptable, accepted, accustomed, achievement.
How do you use "ordinary" in a sentence?
To take an express train, we have to get an express ticket in addition to an ordinary ticket.
How do you pronounce "ordinary"?
Pronounced /ˈɔɹdɪnɛɹi/.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman ordenarie, ordenaire et al., Middle French ordinaire, and their source, Medieval Latin ordinarius, noun use of Latin ōrdinārius (“regular, orderly”), from ōrdō (“order”).